Butler performing arts center promotes confidence through theater
The Butler Center for the Performing Arts has brought the lack of children's summer theater programs to center stage by filling the gap with instructional camps.
A group of high school students finished its camp with a small performance for families Friday, and next week middle school students will step into the spotlight.
Jenna Molczan Higby, owner of the center, said the camps sought to provide a space for students to learn and practice musical theater in the community.
“There aren’t other youth programs for musical theater in the immediate area (right now), and there’s so much potential around Butler with all the arts,” she said. “We’re trying to build that back up with acting, voice and dance. Buddy Thompson, the previous owner, really put his heart and soul into the arts ... I am hoping to further continue his ideas.”
The camps are three hours a day for one week. The time is divided between dancing original choreography from Broadway musicals, acting exercises and vocal ensemble pieces.
Amanda Bishop, a graduate of Butler Senior High School and a musical theater student at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, led students through the ins and outs of the theater business and rehearsals.
“Being able to have a mentor similar in age to them was important; there aren’t many in the area,” Molczan Higby said.
Bishop said she wanted to be involved in the camp to share her knowledge with the next generation.
“I’ve learned so much from (the students),” she said. “I thought this would be a good opportunity. I learn so much at school and wanted to share my knowledge.”
Camp participant Delaney Ray, a rising junior at Butler Senior High School, said she gained knowledge from Bishop that will help her in the future.
“I learned a lot about the college audition process; that’s a big thing I wanted to get out of this because not many people go through that,” she said. “But also, it was something fun to have this summer, because there hasn’t been any musical theater opportunities.”
The group performed numbers with original choreography from shows such as “Waitress,” “A Chorus Line” and “Dear Evan Hansen” for their families at the center.
Delaney’s mother, Rachel, said she hopes her daughter walks away with a better understanding of a musical theater career.
“They worked on auditioning, headshots, singing and dancing. I hope she can take away confidence that this is what she wants to do and it can happen for someone from a small town like Butler, and figure out how we get there from here,” she said.
She added she was proud to see her daughter perform.
“It was amazing; I get tears in my eyes,” she said. “I hear her practicing in her bedroom, and I still get tears in my eyes. Anything we can do to support the arts in Butler, we do, especially for kids, because they’re who’s going to do it in the future.”
“It was fun,” Delaney said. “So often, theater is a stressful time. I liked the dancing because I’m not a dancer first, and I hadn’t done much musical theater dance.”
Molczan Higby said she hopes the camps can expand to larger venues and performances, but the main goal is to foster self-confidence in the students.
“I would hope they walk away with self-confidence. A lot of (the students) were hesitant walking in. It’s so new for a lot of them, especially the vocal component,” she said. “I always want to see performers confident in their abilities. I’m hoping we can continue to do performances and community events in the future.”
Bishop said helping with the camp was a chance to remind students of why they love the craft.
“I wanted them to feel they could enjoy theater, because it can become a project. People lose the love for it,” she said. “And it’s art. We forget that.”
